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On one hand, this an trailer shows a lot of love for the source material. They work in lines from the show as much as possible, usually with good comic effect. The special effects, while clearly fan made, are very well done for the style that they're going for. Remember those realistic Mario and Kirby pics from a while back? The ones that took lovable, relate-able gaming mascots and turned them into creepy demons? Yeah, it's like that.

That's where I go from glad to sad on this fan-made trailer. It's a stark reminder of how many people sincerely want a "realistic" Pokemon game, one with guns and darkness and dark moments and DARK FEELINGS.

I don't think there is a way to do that without losing the essence of the original material. You can't make a movie where Kermit the Frog is a serial killer, you can't make a gory zombie movie set in the Star Wars universe, and you can't make a "realistic" Pokemon game.

Oh wait a second. As it turns out, you can make an awesome zombie movie set in the Star Wars universe.  Maybe this "badass Pokemon" thing could work out after all.

The Trailer To End All Trailers: Pokémon Apokélypse- [GameInformer]








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Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer. Likes Mega Man 2, Resident Evil, Katamari Damacy, Bit.Trip, Metal Slug 3 Meet the rest of the team



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63 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

Cacophony's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:35
Cacophony
It is interesting, but I would have a hard time seeing it on its own.

Also, aside from that youtube video there is a book set in the Star Wars universe with a sort of zombie outbreak going on! It can be done!
joshscorcher's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:39
joshscorcher
Watch it get shut down by Nintendo. Shame...
Hipster Dante's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:39
Hipster Dante
I Want to be the best...like No one ever was. |:
BalloonFighter's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:41
BalloonFighter
This is what Pokemon was meant to be. I have chills and boners right now. I'm gonna lay down.
walnut100's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:46
walnut100
Kermit just kinda acts like a serial killer
janoDX's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:57
janoDX
I will say it every time, I want this movie to green light so bad...
SWE3tMadness's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 22:58
SWE3tMadness
"It's a stark reminder of how many people sincerely want a "realistic" Pokemon game, one with guns and darkness and dark moments and DARK FEELINGS."

Yeah, I agree with you, Holmes. This kind of darker and edgier deconstruction can be done well, but it's very easy to overdo it, and most attempts that I've seen (including this one) do just that. There's no charm in a gritty, Sin City-style dystopia. The idea of overcoming adversity with the bonds you form with your pokemon to be the best you can be is the real heart of the franchise, and people tend to forget that sometimes.

If you want "realism", tragedy and deep emotion from the Pokemon games, do a Nuzlocke run. It may sound corny, but the experience I had doing one over the summer really gave me a new perspective on the games.

Aside from those gripes, I do have to admit that the production values were pretty incredible for the video itself. :D
deanbmmv's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:01
deanbmmv
I don't think people saying they want 'realistic pokemon' want a 'dark pokemon', just one that maybe uses more than 3 frames of animation. It'll get harder to justify as we move to 3DS.
gatorsax2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:02
gatorsax2010
Not sure how I feel about Jessie, James, and Meowth going around shooting people.
LordTwinkies's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:03
LordTwinkies
About zombies in Star Wars...

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Troopers-Joe-Schreiber/dp/0345509625
TheRico's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:10
TheRico
Wait a minute, are people actually actually taking this as a seriously attempt to 'darken up' Pokemon? I got the distinct impression this was a joke, a very funny joke at that.
Danzflor's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:11
Danzflor
The darker touch on this was simple amazing, too bad it's just another amazing fan film that will never get a full release, and if it does, it will be shutting down by Nintendo.

Anyway, spectacular job, even better than the whole Dragon Ball Evolution film.
The Pat Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:15
The Pat Man
@LordTwinkies

Damn. You beat me to it. But ya, zombies in Star Wars actually do exist.
Jing's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:15
Jing
If this was ever made, it would become one of those movies that are so bad it's good such as Mario Bros and Street Fighter
Happy Chainsaw Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:21
Happy Chainsaw Man
I love this so much. "I choose you" had me laughing so hard I was gasping for breath.
Sparta2020's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:31
Sparta2020
This is like making mickey mouse an evil villain! Don't know what to say about this one...
ace of knaves's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:32
ace of knaves
Brock's eyes were closed. Brock's fucking eyes were closed!
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:37
Qraze
do want to watch.
Salnax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:44
Salnax
This looks about as appealing as cancer. If you want to make a serious Pokemon movie, do it on its own terms.
aquabob's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:54
aquabob
2:14
Ima firin ma laser!! Its so awful yet I need to see more!
Zeta Crossfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/21/2010 23:58
Zeta Crossfire
This is the greatest video I have ever seen. ever.
LittleBigD's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 00:12
LittleBigD
Yikes....... This kind of thing disturbs the hell out of me. Just what the world needed. A Pokemon movie catered to people with the same brain wave patterns as Micheal Vic.

What kind of event cracks a persons mind in such a way that they find pitting lighthearted characters from their youth in a pit fight to the death entertaining?
RichardBlaine's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 00:26
RichardBlaine
Kudos on all the time and effort they put in. Having said that, that video was impossible to take seriously (hopefully intentionally). Holmes hit the nail on the head. Pokemon is, by design, light-hearted and funny. Lines like "He could have died out there!" are hilarious when considering the context. Cute video, but it works much better as a clever joke than as an idea for an actual movie (fan-made or commercial).
Popyman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 00:32
Popyman
That Pikachu is a demon spawn.

That's about the only thing I can form an opinion on at the moment.
the Company's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 00:38
the Company
That was not to my liking.

Unfortunately, where some people found the seriousness in the context of Pokemon funny (I hope that's how they meant this; I don't want to think that the people into a "mature" Pokemon would go through all this effort) I didn't really even find this funny. I just spent most of the video grimacing and skipping ahead over and over. Too bad.
idrawrobots's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 01:09
idrawrobots
EXCITE !
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 01:11
pedrovay2003
That was sort of entertaining until it looked like James was going to rape Misty, which was completely unnecessary.
Leon Field's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 01:57
Leon Field
This would be an amazing full length spin off film.
Tron's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 02:33
Tron
i'm not sure what to think of this.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 02:37
Syn
something something something heart something something something darkness something something something dark side
Netnavi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 02:54
Netnavi
This is perhaps the worst idea for pokemon I have ever seen. This is NOT what Pokemon is about. Dumb hipsters. Not everything has to be done like a Nolan film.
Elliot G's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 03:07
Elliot G
Do you people not realize this was supposed to be funny?

Holy shizzle guys. It's a JOKE trailer. Did no one catch the ridiculous one liners and hammed up story? Really?
wtfsoko's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 03:10
wtfsoko
that ending was priceless. but im still a little weirded out.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 04:26
Justice
I... CHOOSE YOU!
The Goddamn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 05:00
The Goddamn
The beginning and end are classic.

"I wanna be the best... like no one ever was."

And then

"When will you stop?"

*looks up* "Until I've caught them all."

DUN DUN DUUUNNN

I've said this in every discussion I've had on this trailer, but Brock is spot-on. Everything about him, from his look to even his voice is priceless.

And yeah, this is supposed to be a satire on current "grim dark" adaptations of our favorite lighthearted animated series, like Dragonball Evolution and The Last Airbender. Here's an interview with the creators (who are also the actors) of this trailer:

http://shogungamer.com/news/live-action-pokemon-movie-full-hd-trailer-and-interview-its-creators
Alter's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 05:09
Alter
Apokelypse? Srsly? Aahaha. Well done for a fan project though, I'd watch the movie.

Also, when people have so much love for the source material, learn that it's not pronounced Peeka-choo.
Derek Oliveira's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 05:33
Derek Oliveira
I want to watch this "movie" so bad. That trailer was just awesome.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 05:41
Monodi
Ash did not drink a coke. I am disappointed.
Rosseh's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 06:33
Rosseh
Hahahahaha amazing. Still...someone needs to make a short scene of people fighting hordes of zombies with lightsabers. That would be sweeeet.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 07:39
Jonathan Holmes
@ deanbmmv- I think the animation in Pokemon White is pretty awesome. It's pretty expressive.
Dr-Peace's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 07:39
Dr-Peace
What the HELL is wrong with people?

Where is the innocence? Where is my Gary MOTHERFUCKING Oak? Why are the models so scary (Pikachu looks like a gremlin...)? What kind of Pokemon fans would want this?

No dark Pokemon, there is a reason why they faint (and don't just die) you know... Satoshi Tajiri wanted a game that WASN'T filled with pointless violence.

I can see it took a lot of effort to make, but please god no... As a Pokemon fan I'm already suffering enough thanks to general laziness with the franchise these days (but I don't want an MMO).

As a piece of comedy that was intended to scare the crap out of me, great job.
kelevrawoofwoof's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 08:00
kelevrawoofwoof
This is lame. Really its so cheesy it hurts.
gizomo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 08:15
gizomo
As much as I'd like to see a rendition where Pokemon gains a level in badassery, I really really don't like the 'darker, edgier' path this one is going for. It all looks really silly to me.
Clown Baby's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 09:48
Clown Baby
Leave it to fanboys, cry about everything.

That looked awesome.
ivr56's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 10:08
ivr56
That my school in the background :D
Marasune's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 10:34
Marasune
obviously professor oak was in it, dr peace. were you not watching closely?
falsenipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 11:04
falsenipple
Around the end of that I could have sworn I say a member of Team Rocket trying to summon a Persona.
Marasune's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 11:15
Marasune
i love how mewtwo's making that gal put a gun to her head, hahaha,
jigglypuff - creepy eyes!
gyrados - awesome
onyx- awesome
brock smoking cigs, eyes glued shut, scrunched up tight face, face bandaids- awesome hahah
charizard vs cubone
mageton - creepy
meowth - awesome!
voltorb as a car bomb - priceless!
ash in some sort of haunted house, with ghastly, haunter and gengar (sp*)
psyduck & misty look lke they are homeless lol
snorlax - i would cuddle that
wheezing and arbok look good,
mewtwo looks badass from both angles
squirtle looks adorable! but it appears as if hes having a tough fight...

i love this fan made trailer, its well done. for the haters, eh, im sure not everything must be tailored to your whining and complaining. go make your own if you think you can do it better.
Dr-Peace's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 11:27
Dr-Peace
@Marasune

Professor Oak is not Gary Oak. Gary Oak is badass.

Hater? If by haters you mean people who actually know what Pokemon actually represents, and how it's evolved. People who actually care about the franchise.

Just by looking at the trailer and seeing the fact that it has no Pokemon besides the first generation, leads me to believe this trailer was made by people who don't have a clue and haven't been interested in the series since the 90's. It comes across as something being done for a laugh.

The haters don't WANT to make one, because it shouldn't exist in the first place... They made a trailer and it's interesting, but let us leave it at that.
MobileSuitGundam's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2010 11:35
MobileSuitGundam
Wow for a mock trailer, it was cheesy and funny. I can't believe a lot of you are so butthurt over a joke. Now if it was serious, I'd still want to watch it (as someone said before, it's so bad it's good!). So what if it's dark, if you want a "true" pokemon movie like most of you have been complaining about, go watch the anime ones already available....There's ton to choose from >_>.
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